at least to an extent

USAGE SUMMARY

The phrase "at least to an extent" is correct and usable in written English.
It can be used to indicate that something is true or applicable to a certain degree, but not completely. Example: "The new policy has improved employee satisfaction, at least to an extent, as some still have concerns about workload."

✓ Grammatically correct

Science

News & Media

Human-verified examples from authoritative sources

Exact Expressions

7 human-written examples

Some of the gymnasts supported Karolyi, at least to an extent.

The New York Times - Sports

In the end, perhaps Mrs. Clark's fondest wish — simply to vanish — has been realized, at least to an extent.

The New York Times

Any candidate for the role should be incredibly intelligent, personable at least to an extent, steeped in experience running large enterprises, and have a vision – fully formed or not – of where the company should be in a decade.

TechCrunch

Thus, the small size of pom1Δ cells suggests that Cdr2 may signal, at least to an extent, from all over the cortex.

eLife

Auxin exerts its regulatory role, at least to an extent, by rapidly inducing a group of genes that are collectively termed as early auxin response genes.

BMC Genomics

In contrast, they felt that patients with good control tended to be forgotten, at least to an extent, by the system because their medical needs were not as pressing.

BMC Health Services Research

Human-verified similar examples from authoritative sources

Similar Expressions

53 human-written examples

The topographic distribution of the AN was more frontal than the distribution of the classical N400 effect, indicating that the underlying generators of the AN and the N400 are, at least to a certain extent, non-overlapping.

Cognitive Brain Research

I would like you to understand him, at least to a certain extent".

The New York Times

Sharia law is, at least to a large extent, incompatible with basic human rights.

The Guardian

Manual work can be speeded up, at least to a certain extent, by increasing the time pressure on workers.

The Guardian - Tech

To be clear, relativism is not the commonsense view that what is right or wrong always depends at least to a certain extent on the particular circumstances.

The Guardian - Opinion

Expert writing Tips

Best practice

Use "at least to an extent" to acknowledge a partial truth or influence, avoiding overstatement or absolute claims. This adds nuance and precision to your writing.

Common error

Avoid stacking multiple qualifiers like "at least to an extent" with other hedging phrases. This can make your writing sound hesitant and weaken your argument. Choose the most appropriate qualifier and use it judiciously.

Linguistic Context

The phrase "at least to an extent" functions as an adverbial phrase, modifying a verb or clause to indicate the degree to which something is true or applicable. As Ludwig AI confirms, this phrase introduces a note of partiality or limitation. Ludwig examples showcase how it qualifies statements without making absolute claims.

Expression frequency: Uncommon

Frequent in

Science

43%

News & Media

43%

Formal & Business

14%

Less common in

Encyclopedias

0%

Wiki

0%

Reference

0%

Ludwig's WRAP-UP

In summary, "at least to an extent" serves as a valuable tool for expressing partial agreement or limited applicability. Ludwig AI validates its correctness and usability, noting its function as an adverbial phrase that adds nuance and avoids overstatement. While interchangeable with options like "to some degree" or "partially", its frequency is uncommon, fitting well in both news media and scientific writing, where precision is key.

More alternative expressions

Phrases that express similar concepts, ordered by semantic similarity:

To some degree

Changes the wording while maintaining the core meaning of partial application or truth.

To a certain degree

Substitutes "extent" with "degree", offering a slightly more common phrasing.

Partially

Replaces the phrase with a single adverb, simplifying the expression.

In part

A shorter, more direct way to express partial agreement or influence.

To a limited extent

Replaces "an" with "a limited", emphasizing the restricted nature of the extent.

Somewhat

A simple adverb indicating a moderate degree or amount.

To a degree

Omits "certain", making the phrase slightly less specific.

Up to a point

Introduces a sense of limitation beyond which the statement is no longer true.

To a considerable extent

Replaces "an" with "a considerable", emphasizing the significant nature of the extent.

To a certain level

Changes "extent" to "level", providing a different perspective on measurement.

FAQs

How can I use "at least to an extent" in a sentence?

Use "at least to an extent" to indicate that something is partially true or applicable, but not entirely. For example, "The project was successful, "at least to an extent", despite facing some challenges.

What's a simple substitute for "at least to an extent"?

You can replace "at least to an extent" with simpler alternatives like "partially", "somewhat", or "to some degree" depending on the context.

Is "at least to an extent" formal or informal?

"At least to an extent" is generally considered neutral to formal. For more informal situations, you might prefer "kind of" or "sort of".

What is the difference between "at least to an extent" and "to a certain extent"?

While both phrases express partiality, "to a certain extent" is more common. "At least to an extent" emphasizes that the degree or impact reaches a minimum threshold, while "to a certain extent" simply acknowledges a limited degree without specifying a minimum.